Strawberry plant variety named ‘DrisStrawSixty’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSixty’, particularly characterized by its yield potential, post-harvest quality of fruit, eating quality of fruit, plant size, and everbearing habit, is disclosed.

Latin name:

Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawSixty’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that is grown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginiana with Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessory fruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from the receptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, season of ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certain varieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development of their reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appear hermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female. Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involves propagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare root plants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. During the off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright red color, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is a popular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in prepared foods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawSixty’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawSixty’ originated from a cross between the proprietary female parent ‘DrisStrawSeventeen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,218) and the proprietary male parent ‘540Q 54’ (unpatented). Progeny plants from this cross, including ‘DrisStrawSixty’, were asexually propagated via stolons in Shasta County, Calif. in March of 2010. Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawSixty’ was later specifically identified and selected in Ventura County, Calif. in October of 2010.

‘DrisStrawSixty’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons, and underwent testing at a farm in Ventura County, Calif. for six years. The present variety has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations via stolons.

‘DrisStrawSixty’ exhibits the following distinguishing characteristics over other similar varieties when grown under normal horticultural practices in Ventura County, Calif.:

-   -   1. Semi-upright plant growth habit;     -   2. Medium plant vigor;     -   3. Shape and color of fruit; and     -   4. Varying resistances to pests and disease.

‘DrisStrawSixty’ was selected for its yield potential, post-harvest quality of fruit (e.g., fruit firmness), eating quality of fruit, plant size, and everbearing habit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show fruit of the plant, as well as the flowers and leaves. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of plants that are 16 weeks old.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawSixty’.

FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal cross-sections of fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawSixty’.

FIG. 3 illustrates the lower and upper surfaces of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawSixty’.

FIG. 4A illustrates the lower surface of a plant leaf of variety ‘DrisStrawSixty’. FIG. 4B illustrates the upper surface of a plant leaf of variety ‘DrisStrawSixty’.

FIG. 5 illustrates the overall plant habit including fruit at various stages of development of variety ‘DrisStrawSixty’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawSixty’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Ventura County, Calif. for six years. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawSixty’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawSixty’ was taken from plants that were 16 weeks old. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2007 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

-   Classification:     -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.         -   Common name.—Strawberry.         -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawSixty’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary variety ‘DrisStrawSeventeen’             (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,218).         -   Male parent.—The proprietary variety ‘540Q 54’ (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—25.2 cm.         -   Diameter.—43.9 cm.         -   Number of crowns per plant.—3.         -   Growth habit.—Semi-upright. -   Stolon:     -   -   Average number of daughter plants per square foot.—9.         -   Diameter at bract.—0.16 mm.         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Present.         -   Anthocyanin color.—RHS 173A (Moderate red). -   Leaf:     -   -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.         -   Color of upper surface.—RHS 147A (Moderate olive green).         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Terminal leaflets.—Length: 7.1 cm. Width: 6.7 cm.             Length/width ratio: 1.1. Number of teeth/terminal             leaflet: 22. Shape of base: Rounded. Margin: Crenate. Shape             in cross section: Convex.         -   Petiole.—Length: 11.8 cm. Diameter: 4.00 mm. Attitude of             hairs: Slightly outwards to horizontal. Bract frequency             (number present on each petiole): 2.         -   Petiolule.—Length: 9.81 mm. Diameter: 2.32 mm.         -   Stipule.—Length: 3.2 cm. Width: 9.29 mm. Anthocyanin             coloration: Present. Anthocyanin color: RHS 58A (Moderate             purplish red). -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Position in relation to foliage.—Same level.         -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Upwards.         -   Flower.—Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on             non-flattened flower): 23.44 mm. Arrangement of petals:             Overlapping. Stamen: Present. Typical and observed number of             flowers per plant: 46.00.         -   Petal.—Length: 10.06 mm. Width: 11.55 mm. Length/width             ratio: 0.9. Typical and observed petal number: 6. Color of             upper side: RHS 155C (Greenish white).         -   Calyx.—Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of             flower): 31.61 mm.         -   Sepal.—Length (sepal tip to point of attachment to             receptacle): 11.04 mm. Width: 5.41 mm. Typical and observed             sepal number: 11. -   Fruit:     -   -   Length.—34.12 mm.         -   Width.—33.33 mm.         -   Length/width ratio.—1.0.         -   Fruit hollow length.—10.58 mm.         -   Fruit hollow width.—3.94 mm.         -   Fruit hollow length/width ratio.—2.7.         -   Shape.—Conical.         -   Color.—RHS 45B (Vivid red).         -   Position of achenes.—Below surface.         -   Position of calyx attachment.—Level with fruit.         -   Attitude of sepals.—Upwards.         -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS N155D (Yellowish             white).         -   Color of core.—RHS N155C (Pinkish white). -   Production:     -   -   Flowering interval.—July to August.         -   Harvest interval.—September to December.         -   Type of bearing.—Fully remontant.         -   Productivity.—0.144 kg to 0.521 kg of fruit per plant per             season from 4-month-old plants when grown in Ventura County,             Calif. -   Resistance to abiotic stress, pests, and diseases:     -   -   Heat.—Moderately resistant.         -   Wind.—Moderately resistant.         -   Aphids (Aphis spp.).—Moderately resistant.         -   Lygus bug (Lygus Hesperus).—Moderately resistant.         -   Botrytis fruit rot (Botrytis cinerea).—Moderately resistant.         -   Powdery mildew (Podosphaera macularis).—Moderately             resistant.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘DrisStrawSixty’ differs from the proprietary female parent ‘DrisStrawSeventeen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,218) in that ‘DrisStrawSixty’ has medium vigor, absent or weak leaf blistering, shape in cross section of terminal leaflet that is convex, attitude of petiole hairs that is slightly outwards to horizontal, stipule anthocyanin coloration that is medium, inflorescence on the same level with foliage, and is moderately resistant to botrytis fruit rot and powdery mildew; while ‘DrisStrawSeventeen’ has strong vigor, medium leaf blistering, shape in cross section of terminal leaflet that is concave, attitude of petiole hairs that is upwards, stipule anthocyanin coloration that is weak, inflorescence beneath foliage, and is moderately susceptible to botrytis fruit rot and powdery mildew. Moreover, fruit of ‘DrisStrawSixty’ have a conical shape and achenes that are below the surface of fruit, while fruit of ‘DrisStrawSeventeen’ have a wedged shape and achenes that are level with surface of fruit. Additionally, fruit of ‘DrisStrawSixty’ have a medium red color, while fruit of ‘DrisStrawSeventeen’ have a dark red color.

‘DrisStrawSixty’ differs from the proprietary male parent ‘540Q 54’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisStrawSixty’ has lower vigor, lower yield, and smaller but firmer fruit compared to ‘540Q 54’.

‘DrisStrawSixty’ differs from the commercial variety ‘DrisStrawTwentyOne’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,506) in that plants of ‘DrisStrawSixty’ have a semi-upright growth habit, while plants of ‘DrisStrawTwentyOne’ have an upright growth habit. Further, plants of ‘DrisStrawSixty’ have medium vigor, while plants of ‘DrisStrawTwentyOne’ have strong vigor. Additionally, plants of ‘DrisStrawSixty’ have inflorescence on the same level with foliage, absent or weak blistering on leaves, and fruit that is conical in shape; while plants of ‘DrisStrawTwentyOne’ have inflorescence beneath foliage, medium blistering on leaves, and fruit that is bi-conical in shape.

‘DrisStrawSixty’ differs from the commercial variety ‘DrisStrawThirtyOne’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,317) in that plants of ‘DrisStrawSixty’ have a semi-upright growth habit, while plants of ‘DrisStrawThirtyOne’ have an upright growth habit. Further, fruit of ‘DrisStrawSixty’ have a medium red color and achenes below surface of fruit, while fruit of ‘DrisStrawThirtyOne’ have a dark red color and achenes level with surface of fruit. Additionally, ‘DrisStrawSixty’ is moderately resistant to aphids, lygus bug, and botrytis fruit rot, while ‘DrisStrawThirtyOne’ is moderately susceptible to aphids, lygus bug, and botrytis fruit rot. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSixty’ as shown and described herein. 